Question

Explain the meaning of the term Ethics and include examples of Ethical Theories within your explanation.

Answer 1

The term "Ethics" have been derived from the Greek word "ethos" which means character, habit, disposition or custom.

Basically it is the branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of morality and the well- defined standards of right and wrong that prescribe the human character and conduct in terms of obligations, rights, rules, benefit to society, fairness etc.

In other words, the ethics encompass the human rights and responsibilities, the way to lead a good life, the language of right and wrong,and difference between good and bad.

It is actually a inner thought in an individual who is able to differentiate between good and bad; right and wrong.

Several philosophers have propounded different types of ethical theories which are listed below:

A)Teleological Ethical theories-It is concerned with the consequences of actions which means the basic standards for our actions being morally right or wrong depends on the good or evil generated.

Types of Teleological ethical theories

1. Ethical Egoism-An action is good if it produces or is likely to produce results that maximize the person's self- interest as defined by him, even at the expense of others. It is based on notion that it is always moral to promote one's own good, but at times avoiding the personal interest could be moral action too.

2. Utilitarianism-This theory holds that an action is good if it results in maximum satisfaction for a large number of people who are likely to get affected by the action.

Suppose the Indian government has extended the period of lockdown and promised to people for providing all the things as per their requirements at door step so that they couldn't go out for their needs. This step taken for the welfare of mass by the government. This is the perfect example of Utilitarianism.

3. Eudaimonism-This theory says that an action is good if it results in the fulfillment of goals along with the welfare of the human beings. In other words, the actions are said to be fruitful if it promotes or tends to promote the fulfillment of goals constitutive of human nature and its happiness.

Suppose a manager forces to his employees for attending the training session so that employees could get benefits and productivity increased due to skill enhancement. So it is beneficial for both parties

B) Deontological Ethical theories-Types of Deontological Ethical theories

1. Negative & Positive Rights Theories-Negative right says that an action bus right if it protects bthe individual from harm or unwarranted interference bfrom other people or the government while exercise his rights.

Suppose an individual wants to sell his car , then the other persons have the correlative duty to not to prevent him from doing whatever he wants to do with his car

Positive right says that an action is right if it provides an individual with anything that he needs to adequate health care services to survive this means other agents or government has the correlative duty to provide him with the necessary health care services.

2.Social Contract Theories-This theory says that each individualis abide by the moral and political obligations towards the society in which they live. If there is no order and law in the society , then people will have unlimited freedom and they will do all unethical doings like;,rape, murder, plunder etc.

C)Virtue Ethical Theories-This theory holds that ethical value of an individual is determined by his character.The character refers to the virtues, inclinations and intentions that dispose of a person to be ready to act ethically.

D) System Development Ethical Theories-This theory states that the extent to which organization system is sensitive to the need to develop a work culture supportive of Ethical value of actions.

Eg-: The employee in order to gain expertise in their work enroll bin the company's training programs with improving himself as well as organization's functioning.

Manager's responsibility to give voice to his employees. By doing so, manager supports individual and reduce the intense resistance to the overall moral development.

So briefly we can say, ethics are the well - defined standards that impose obligations to refrain human beings from baby misconduct, which could be harmful.to the self as well as for the society